5 Youngest debutants for India

Playing cricket for their country will be any cricketer's bigger dream. The biggest moment probably arrives when he first dons the jersey and is presented his cap and the fact that he is representing the millions of people strikes a chord in your heart.

There have been 226 different players who have played for India and the 2 recent additions to that list came in the form of Mohammed Siraj and Vijay Shankar who made their debut in the ODI series against Australia.

Making it to the level of international cricket is tough and to do so at a young age is even remarkable. Even Team India who has been careful about their selection process when it comes to age have had few prodigies who it has been impossible to keep in the fringes for long. While few have gone on to be big stars, few have faded.

Let's take a look at the 5 youngest ODI debutants for India.

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#5 Laxmi Ratan Shukla (17 years 320 days)

Laxmi Ratan Shukla

Laxmi Ratan Shukla, an all-rounder was all of 17 years 320 days old when he made his debut for India against Sri Lanka in Nagpur in 1999. His debut wasn't too memorable for him as he didn't get to bat and struggled to hit his lengths right conceding 32 runs from 4 overs without picking up a wicket.

The Bengal lad wasn't able to hold on to his place in the team and could play just 3 ODIs in his career. He never let go of the game though, and had a brilliant first-class record for Bengal and didn't perform badly in the IPL as well. He was later sworn in as the Sports Minister of West Bengal and is currently holding office.

#4 Parthiv Patel (17 years 301 days)

Parthiv Patel in action

Parthiv Patel was just 17 years 301 days old when he made his debut for India against New Zealand at Queenstown in 2003. His debut match ended in a disaster for India as they were bowled for 122 of which Parthiv scored 13 runs. He was touted to be India's next star keeper-batsman but his inconsistency in ODIs and the arrival of new recruits like MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik cost him his place in the side.

Parthiv, though never gave up on cricket and is still in contention for a place in the Test team if not in ODIs. He's a regular as far as the IPL is concerned and is now with the RCB after a successful stint with the Mumbai Indians. He was most likely to get a chance in India's tour of Australia 2018-19 but remained on the bench throughout the series.

Parthiv's first-class form has earned him a way back into the side and if things go his way, he could get another chance in his career. He has scored 934 runs in 25 Tests and 736 runs in 38 ODIs.

#3 Harbhajan Singh (17 years 288 days)

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was the right partner to Anil Kumble in India's spin attack and became all the more important when Kumble retired. Harbhajan made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1998 soon after his Test debut and was brilliant with the ball as he bowled a tight spell conceding just 32 runs in 10 overs picking up 1 wicket.

Needless to say, the team spotted the huge talent in him and he went to play 236 ODIs and 103 Tests for India and is still active but the chances of him being called up are close to zero.

Harbhajan has picked up 403 wickets in Tests and 269 wickets in ODI. He will forever be remembered for his hat-trick against Australia in the Eden Gardens Test in 2001 where India scripted a memorable win and also for the 'Monkeygate' controversy involving Andrew Symonds in 2008.

He was also a pinch hitter and made useful cameos for the side even scoring 2 Test hundreds. He is also one of the most successful cricketers in the IPL and has picked up 134 wickets. He won 3 titles with Mumbai Indians before winning one with CSK in 2018. He is still part of their squad.

#2 Maninder Singh (17 years 222 days)

Maninder Singh in action

Maninder Singh created ripples in the Indian team when he made his debut. Touted to be the apt replacement for Bishan Singh Bedi, the left-arm spinner wasn't raw and possessed many variations along with guile and a treacherous, deceptive flight. His debut in 1983 was one to forget as he went wicketless

The team kept their faith on him, though and he continued to flourish until a drastic change of form seriously affected his rhythm and the solution which India had seemed to had got disappeared. Despite a forced comeback of sorts in 1993, Maninder wasn't able to persist and had to end his career prematurely. He has played 35 Tests and 59 ODIs picking up 88 and 66 wickets respectively.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar (16 years 238 days)

Sachin's achievements in cricket are ones which can be beaten but never forgotten.

This man needs no introduction as the entire cricketing world and people beyond know his name. One of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game, Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi, 1989 at the age of 16. Tendulkar scored 15 runs before being dismissed by Waqar Younis but even in his short stay at the crease, he showed signs of his world-class ability and as they say, the rest is history.

His ODI debut is something which people don't remember. He was dismissed for 0 in a rain-curtailed match against Pakistan in Gujranwala, 1989 where India lost by 7 runs in the end.

The 'Master Blaster' has broken innumerable records on his way to batting immortality and is one of the most loved cricketers and sportspersons in the world. Sachin was the first person to score a double century in ODI cricket and deservingly won the World Cup before retirement.

He also scored 100 centuries in his career. His stats are simply awe-striking. He has scored 18426 runs in 452 ODI innings and 15921 runs in 200 Test Matches.